Electric lighting apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. H. PERKINS.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS.

No. 245,393. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model) G. H. PERKINS.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS.

doc

Patented Aug. 9, 1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. PERKINS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,393, dated August 9, 1881.

Application filed April 20, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE H. PERKINS, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Electric Lighting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric lighting apparatus in general; and its object is the provision of a transparent casing or outer envelope, by the employment of which, in connec- .10 tion with any known form of electric light, such light is rendered safe for use in explosive atmospheres of the character existing in oil-refineries,flouring-mills, elevators, and the holds of vessels carrying petroleum or its products,

and in other atmospheres where danger might otherwise attend its use. To the above end my invention consists in the apparatus hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents, in perspective, an apparatus conveniently embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same. Fig. 3 is a partial vertical central section of the upper portion of the same, taken in a plane at right angles to the plane through which the section of Fig. 2 is taken. Fig. 4. is a sectional plan view taken on the line a a of Fig. 2 and viewed from above. Fig. 5 is apartial central section of the lower portion of the cylindrical stack, taken in the plane of Fig. 3, and exhibiting the arrangement of the lower extremities of one of the guideways of the lower crosshead and the connection of the stop-bar thereto. Fig. 6 is aside sectional magnified detail of the connection of the inclosing-cage with the stack and Fig. 7 is a View, in perspective detail, of the method of wrapping or covering the strands of the cage-supporting basket.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever used.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the roof of a building in which the vapors from petroleum or other explosive vapors exist to such an extent that the introduction of a naked light would either produce or occasion risk of an explosion, and from which it is desired to suspend an electric light.

B is a stack, being a cylinder of metal of suitable proportions secured'by means of a cir- 5o. cular angle-iron, E,to the roof through an orifice therein, and properly braced or stayed thereto. The stack is above the roof, surmounted by a cap, 0, removably secured by cap-prongs D, which retain the cap, when in place, in such relation to the stack as to be 5 slightly elevated above its upper edge, so as to exclude rain and snow.

Around the lower extremity of the stack is fitted a band, F, the lower edge of which is turned in at aright angle to form a flange, G, and is provided with a circular washer, H, of india-rubber or kindred material, stitched, riveted, cemented, or otherwise secured thereto. The band F is secured to the stack by means of hasps I or other connecting devices.

J is a cage, of glass or its equivalent, formed as a cylinder, open on top but closed below, the lower closed portion being, preferably, of hemispherical contour. The diameter of the cage is slightly less than the diameter of the circular opening in the flange of the band F, while it is greater than that of the rubber washer, the result of such proportional relationship being that when the cage is entered from above and moved downward through the 7 5 stack it passes through the rubber washer and turns it down at an angle, so that the washer presses against the side of the cage, makes an air-tightjoint between the cage and the washer, and aids to retain the cage in frictional contact with the washer. In the il1')1)ll(321tl0ll of the band to the stack the lower edge of the stack comes in contact with that portion of the rubber washer which is secured to the flange of the band, and when the hasps I are fastened embeds itself therein so as to form an airtight joint between the band and the stack. hen the cage is entered within the washer from below the washer is turned upward instead of downward.

K is a basket to support'the cage, formed of the fewest possible number of strands of wire, wrapped with felting or other fit material, as shown in Fig. 7, or formed of rope or the like. The brim-piece of the basket is connected by 5 means of chains or other connecting devices K to brackets L, laterally projected from the band, whereby thecage, through themedium of the chains andthe basket,is connected with and supported from the band. In lieu of the bas- I00 ket, however,it is obvious that an outwardlyextending bead may be cast around the upper edge of the cage, which, resting upon the washer above the flange of the band, will support the cage.

M is the base-plate of the light, from which is suitably erected the lower carbon point, N, while vertical standards 0 0 connect it with the lower cross-head, P, from which depends the regulating device Q, which places and retains the upper carbon, It, in proper relative position to the lower carbon,N, in the manner common to lights of the character represented. S and T are the positive and negative wires of the carbons, which act also as suspenders to connect the lower cross-head with the upper cross-head, U.

V 'W are guideways, of any fit construction, formed within or connected to the interior of the stack in the line of the length thereof. These guideways serve to guide in introduction and steady in position the lower crosshead in the introduction of the lighting apparatus proper within the stack.

X are stop-bars, adjustably connected with the guideways by pinning devices Y or thelike, which serve to limit the depth to which the lower cross-head can beintroduced within the stack, while the upper cross-head rests upon the upper edge of the stack.

Such being the construction of a convenient embodiment of my invention, I desire to state that I do not limit myself to the exact structure and arrangement of detailed mechanical devices hereinbefore represented and described, as I contemplate resorting to many allied or equivalent constructions of minor devices which contribute to complete the embodiment of my invention.

It will, I think, be apparent thatlights other than electric lights can be burned with entire safety in explosive atmospheres by their employment in connection with my invention.

It is obvious that there is no means by which the atmosphere within the building can gain access to the light, while the only communication with any atmosphere afforded the light is with the outside atmosphere or that without the buiding.

When desired, the stack can be prolonged to any extent required to conduct it outside of a building, so as to enable the employment of my invention in connection with lights placed bcneath ceilings or floors not in immediateproximity to the outer atmosphere. In the application also of my invention to the loading of vessels with petroleum or its products the apparatus is provided with a stack or tube of such a length that, when the device is lowered through the hatchway until the light assumes its proper position in the hold, the top of the stack or tube will projectabove the upper deck.

It will, finally, be understood that the purposes of my invention would be subserved by extending the cage upward to form a stack and providing other means of suspending the lighting apparatus, it being the essence of the invention that the light should be excluded from inside atmospheres and have communication only with the outside air.

Having thus described my in vcntion, I claim 1. The combination of the stack, band, washer, and cage, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the stack, band, washer, cage, and basket, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

3. As a means of supporting the cage in proper relation to the band and washer, the basket suitably connected to and depending from the band.

4. In combination with the stack, guideways provided with stop-bars, adj ustably connected thereto and adapted to sustain the lighting apparatus in proper position relatively to the stack and cage.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto signed my name this 9th day of April, A. D. 1881.

GEORGE H. PERKINS.

In presence of- O. BERKELEY TAYLOR, J. BONSALL TAYLOR. 

